Chief Deputy Wagner sheriff’s office Employee of the Year

A 19-year veteran and second-generation deputy recently was awarded the Kane County Sheriff’s Department’s Employee of the Year for returning to work less than four months after doctors removed a tumor from his heart.

Chief Deputy David E. Wagner III was presented with the 2010 David A. Stewart Employee of the Year as he and 27 other officers and civilians were honored.

Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez presented Wagner with the award, noting that Wagner had a 6½-hour surgery in June 2010 to remove cancerous tissue on his heart after he experienced severe chest pain a month earlier and returned to work by September 29 despite the physical and emotional toll it took on him.

“David refused to accept defeat, and once again set an example for others to follow and continues to do so every day,” Perez said. “We are all blessed to have David as our friend (and) thankful for the role he plays in our agency.”

Perez also noted that the late Stewart, who the award is named after, also held Wagner in high regard.

“David Warner definitely influenced the law enforcement career of David Stewart, as he has many other of our deputies,” Perez said. “He always conducts himself as a true professional and is a credit to all in law enforcement.”

Other recipients included:

Ÿ Deputy Cheryl Lyne, who received the Daniel Morrissey Award as Deputy of the Year.

Ÿ Corrections Sgt. Luis Aguirre, who was named the William Swanson Corrections Officer of the Year. Ÿ Janet Friedrich, who was presented with the Emily Mosley Civilian of the Year award.

Ÿ Retired Sgt. Bill Ferron was given to Fraternal Order of Police Member of the Year Award.

Merit Awards went to: Russell Norris, Lenore Briguglio, Devon Gillum, Hugh O’Connor, Victoria Trybula, Jacob Watson, Tom Friedrich, David Wolf, Krysta Kaus, Nate Moravec, Amy Dunn, Aaron Feiza, Ron Hain, Ken Johnson, Nina Jones and Diane Komes.

Lifesaving Awards went to Matthew Trygar, Victoria Trybula and Marissa Hanczar.

Leadership Awards were presented to Chris Peeler, James Lewis, Pat Gengler and Tom Bumgarner.